Contribution levels 2009/2010
Please find here the Contribution Levels for the next financial year, effective from 1st April 2009.
It is important to note that the current rates are still applicable until that time.
Download the contribution levels (Excel, 38kb)
Contracting: National Training Programmes
The contracting process for National Training Programmes is now underway. You can find detailed information and guidance in our proposals section.
Equality Scheme
Our first Equality Scheme (including an Easy Read version) has now been published on our website. We will work on developing a full version in 2009 that will reflect our new business and service delivery model.
As a public sector organisation, Skills Development Scotland has certain legal obligations under existing legislation to promote equality in the areas of Race, Disability and Gender. This includes the requirement to develop and publish an Equality Scheme. The scheme sets out what we will do to meet the general and specific duties and has been extended to include the other equality areas of sexual orientation, age and religion or belief.
Julie-Anne Jamieson and members of the SDS Equality Group would like to thank you for taking the time to complete and/or promote the questionnaires we made available in September. We have used the feedback from the online survey to inform how we consult and engage with customers, stakeholders, training providers and staff over the coming months.
People1st launch Apprenticeship Consultation in Scotland
People1st urgently requires your contribution to the review and development of Apprenticeship Frameworks for Scotland.
You will be aware that it is vital that any tourism programme or skills intervention is adequately supported by employer demand. People1st are anxious to ensure that the right level of funding is available for tourism, however, this must be supported by evidence that employers do value the skills development available. Please do take this opportunity to show your support and influence provision.
People 1st ask that you please spare 10 minutes to complete their electronic questionnaire.
Get Ready for Work Training Proposal – Edinburgh
The Capital City Partnership has approved funding for a Get Ready for Work (GRfW) programme for young people aged 16-17 living in Edinburgh. This programme will be managed on their behalf by Skills Development Scotland in Edinburgh.
Below are links to the bidding documents which must be returned by 5pm on Friday 31 October 2008. Late submissions will not be accepted.
For further details or to discuss the programme please contact:
Clare McVeigh
Tel: 0131 313 6119
Email: clare.mcveigh@scotent.co.uk
Or
Chantal Fenton
Tel: 0131 313 6227
Email: chantal.fenton@scotent.co.uk
Download the GRfW Training Proposal – Edinburgh (Word, 176kb)
Download the GRfW bidding document (Excel, 31kb)
Download the GRfW challenge fund brief (Word, 60kb)
Download the GRfW Challenge fund (Word, 60kb)
Download Appendix 1 - Project Cost (Word, 49kb)
Consultation on the referencing of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualificatiofs Framework Partnership (SCQFP) welcomes your views on the referencing of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) to the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (EQF).
The consultation period will run from 9 September to 28 November 2008.
To access a copy of the initial report and consultation document, please visit the SCQF website.
Payment Plans Review
SDS has now completed a review of Payment Plans for National Training Programmes, in consultation with representatives from the Training Provider network.
The following occupational areas are affected:
- Business Administration – level 2 and MA
- Children’s Learning and Development – level 2 and MA
- Food and Drink Service / Food and Drink Manufacturing and Multi Skilled
- Hospitality – level 2
- Hairdressing – MA
- Retail – level 2
- Retail Sales Professional – MA
Download the communications document for more information (Words, 235kb)
Skils Development Scotland Logos and Guidelines
A new interim logo is now available for use by Training Providers, along with guidance on its use.
Find out more about our logos and guidelines
Changes to the national training programmes
A number of changes to the national training programmes have been announced by the Education and Lifelong Learning Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Willy Roe, the newly appointed Chair of Skills Development Scotland (SDS). SDS takes over responsibility for national training programmes, Careers Scotland and Scottish University for Industry (SUfI) from 1 April 2008, including funding and administration for modern apprenticeships.
The changes follow a review of the programmes inherited from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland want to expand provision that is known to deliver effective skills development and utilisation. This will enable Skills Development Scotland to develop a coherent programme of skills interventions.
The full package of changes, which Skills Development Scotland will implement - are reflected in the contracts issued to Training Providers for 2008/9 - are to:
- developing a Modern Apprenticeship in Life Sciences
- refocusing support in adult MAs to only construction and engineering related sectors (e.g. plumbing and bricklaying, electricians, shipbuilding, car maintenance and painting), producing an increase in the number of adult MAs in this sector by 50 per cent, assisting an additional 500 people in industries that face particular training pressures
- increasing the 16-19 year old MAs by 10% in all construction and engineering related sectors, a total of over 500 additional opportunities
- maintaining support and recruitment for all 16-19 year old MA candidates for 2008-09
- maintaining the same level of support for the Get Ready for Work and Training for Work programmes
- providing an additional 6,500 Level 2 MAs through reform of the Skillseeker programme.
Training Providers who have been awarded a contract to deliver National Training Programmes for 2008/9 will be issued with the name of their designated Contract Manager, who they should contact if they have any questions.
A copy of the full Scottish Government press release is avaliable from the website
MAG (Modern Apprenticeship Group) Briefing
The Modern Apprenticeship Implementation Group has recently undertaken an evaluation of its role and functions and this has led to a number of reforms. The factsheet below outlines some of the key changes that have been made and the reasons for these.
Download the Modern Apprenticeship Briefing (Word, 59kb)
National Minimum Wage and the Childcare Sector: Guidance
As part of the Government's targeted minimum wage enabling and enforcement program, the childcare sector was the sector chosen for year 2. The guidance relating to the minimum wage and the childcare sector is available on the DTI website.
Contribution Rates 2008/2009
SDS has published the Contribution Rates for 2008/2009 and they can be found within the Operational Guidance section - 2008/09 Skillseekers / MA contribution rates.
Age Legislation
Please read the attached to find out our current position on Age Legislation and how it might affect delivery of national training programmes.
Read about Age Legislation (PDF, 24kb)
Reducing the Audit Burden - Electronic Links with the SQA
SDS, in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), has an online payment verification process that will allow us to check registration and certification details of trainees working towards an SVQ against data held by the SQA.
Download more details of the new Electris system (Word, 41kb)
Network Compliance Service Customer Survey Results
During 2005 the Network Compliance Service carried out a Customer Survey with training providers on the service the NCS provides. An invitation to complete the survey was posted on CTS and 123 Training Providers took the opportunity to provide us with feedback on our service.
Download the Network Compliance Service survey results (Excel, 55kb)
The NCS Management Team has reviewed the results of the survey and is currently looking at what actions need to take place for the NCS Team to move forward.
Meeting dates
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| Modern Apprenticeship Group (MAG) |
The Modern Apprenticeship Group (MAG) is the key Group for modern apprenticeships in Scotland.
Its main role is to authorise all new and revised Frameworks. It seeks to monitor the effectiveness of the MA programme in Scotland, promote best practice, and provide information to assist in policy development.
The group meets on the third Thursday every month. For details of their next meeting,visit the Modern Apprenticeship Group (MAG) website.